Arch-bridge.



Patented May l5, I900. D. B. LUTEN.

ARCH BRIDGE.

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Unirnn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DANIEL l3. LUTEN, OF LAFAYETTE, INDIANA.

ARCH-BRIDGE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 649,643, dated May 15,1900.

Application filed August 2, 1899. Serial No. 725,851. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known thatI, DANIEL B. LUTEN, a citizen of the UnitedStates,residing at Lafayette, in the county of Tippecanoe, State ofIndiana, have invented an Improvement in Arch- Bridges, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My invention relates to bridges; and it consists in providing means torelieve the abutments thereof of a part of the horizontal thrust of thearch, thus permitting of lighter construction and reducing the cost ofbuilding and maintenance, as well as increasing their periods ofusefulness.

It consists more particularly in uniting the abutments of an arch-bridgeby means of a tie or ties placed beneath the waterline of the structure,which thus relieves the abutments of some horizontal strain and providesa foundation for the bridge, and at the same time the ties are concealedfrom view, are out of the way of shipping, floating ice, logs, or otherobjects, are effective in preventing scouring of the bed of the stream,and in case wood or timber is used in their construction they arepractically permanent.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which-Figure l is a vertical cross-section of an arch-bridge provided withtimber ties, and Fig. 2 is a foundation-plan of abutments and ties.

Similar letters refer to similar parts in both views.

The arch structure A, of concrete, stone, brick, iron, steel, or othersuitable materials,

, is supported by abutments or piers, of concrete, stone, brick, orother materials, extending below the water-line D of the structure.Extending from abutment to abutment and below the water-line are theties B, which may be made of any suitable material-as wood, iron, orsteel-but in this case are shown as being made of wood or timber, asthis is the best material now known to me for the purpose, it beingpractically everlasting when used under water.

A satisfactory joint between the material of the abutments and the tiesis secured by notching the ties and embedding them in the material ofthe abutments, or by the use of interlocking cross-pieces, as shown atc, or by any other usual method of making such connections.

It is an essential. part of my invention that all ties shall be placedbelow the water-line of the structure to insure a good foundation,protection to the bed of the stream, elegance of appearance of the arch,and that the stream is left clear, so that a free passage-way isprovided for shipping, floating logs, ice, or debris of any character,and when wood or timber is used there is the further advantage that itis preserved by the water.

I am aware that various forms of tie-rods have long been in use inconnection with arched structures. I do not therefore claim such aninvention broadly.

What I do claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is-

1. An arch-bridge of concrete, stone, iron, or steel, having a tie orties of timber, from abutment to abutment, below the water-line of thestructure, substantially as set forth.

2. An arch-bridge of concrete stone, iron, steel, or brick, having a tieor ties from one abutment or pier to the other abutment or pier, belowthe water-line of the structure, substantially as described.

3. In a bridge, the combination of an arch or vault, with the abutmentsor piers, and a tie or ties extending from one abutment or pier to theother abutment or pier, beneath the water-line, to relieve the same fromstrain, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination of an arch or vault with abutments or piers forsupporting the same, and a tie or ties of wood or timber extending fromone abutment or pier to the other abutment or pier, beneath thewater-line, to relieve the same from strain, substantially as described.

DANIEL B. LUTE'N. Witnesses:

A. BERTELL LUTEN, ALONZO W. JoHNs'roN.

